First results of a long-term cultivation experiment of different species of Nummulitidae (Foraminifera) from the island of Sesoko (Okinawa, Japan)

Many experimental culture studies have been carried out on larger benthic foraminifera to improve their use in paleoceanography, paleoclimatology or environmental monitoring. However, understanding how to culture larger benthic foraminifera over longer periods of time (several months to years) without deficiencies is limited. Observations of sexual reproduction, in particular, are limited in laboratory setting, let alone the full alteration of generations. In this study, we present the results of a successful long-term cultivation of four species of larger benthic foraminifera, enabling individual recognition (i.e. the traceability of single individuals). Operculina complanata, Palaeonummulites venosus, Hetererostegina depressa and Cycloclypeus carpenteri were sampled and cultured over a period of 15 months, with the aim of optimizing growing conditions, and approximating changing environmental conditions measured in the field as closely as possible.